I had an ancestor that died in Andersonville, Pvt William B. Harker, Co. A, 38th Ohio Regiment. Anyone else have an ancestor who was a POW during the Civil War? Any information on Andersonville?
My Stepmother's Grandfather was a POW at Andersonville. He survived but later lost an arm when a cannon exploded at a GAR gathering.
My Great Great Grandfather (Dads's side) was a guard at Andersonville, for a while. His unit, (The Miller County Tigers, Miller County, GA) was captued at the battle of Franklin and exchanged. They served as guards until paroled.
My Grandfather (born 1895) told me, when he was small, him and his cousins would play Soldier at Andersonville. He said part of the stockade was still standing.
Andersonville is now the US POW Museum. Google it.
My Wife's Great Great Grandfather was severly wounded and captured at Cold Harbor. He was sent to Libby Prison and was supposed to be transferred to Andersonville. For some reason, he released instead. (Grant had stopped all exchanges by that time) His Daughter ended up marrying the Son of an unrepentant Confederate, a cousin of Robert E. Lee. My Father in Law is named for Lee.
My mother had two great uncles that were in the war. One was with the aggressers ,one fought for his right's The rebel was captured and sent to Alton,ILL. when he arrived there, He found out that his brother was a guard there. Thats all I know about the story. NO Information on unit's or dates.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: ordmate,
They have like 10% still standing. Anybody been there its on what looks like a hill. There a trench that leads down the middle of the hill to a little stream. heard the trench was there bath room and that stream was there water supply. if you go about 40 feet north. There a grave yard with the dead of the prison. today it Doesnt look any thing like what it used to be when it was in it's prime. They should rebuild it like it was back at the height of the war.
The "10% still standing" is a re-creation. The original logs long since rotted away. The Army Officer Candidate School visits the place every cycle as part of it's Ethics and Law of Land Warfare cirriculum. I've been there at least five times (once as a candidate, four as a TAC).
If the place itself doesn't sober you, try walking the cemetery. The headstones are lined up over the trench they dug for the bodies and touch on either side. Except for the six or seven 'Raiders' whose graves are separated from the others; despised and shunned even in death.
While a candidate, I walked down the line of headstones numbering down from 1540 or so. As I did so, I wondered who was buried at headstone 1492. I found out when I got there.
It was me.
Or at least it was my name: "Patrick Sullivan, CPL, NY" I was a CPL when I applied for OCS and my Dad's familly was from New York. I tell you, I don't believe in ghosts or fate or any other such nonsense, but I have to admit the hairs were standing up on my neck.
I had been there some years back and it was an experiance. I have had that same experiance and feeling when I was in West Germany and we were taken on a tour of the "Work Camps" I can't realy explain the feeling it was strange and there seemed a pressure or presance something not right. I wonder if those ghost hunters will do a show there ?
Originally posted by commosgt2: I had an ancestor that died in Andersonville, Pvt William B. Harker, Co. A, 38th Ohio Regiment. Anyone else have an ancestor who was a POW during the Civil War? Any information on Andersonville?
The North had its' equivalent of Andersonville. It was in Elmira, NY (called "Hellmira"). If you search: Elmira NY Civil War prison, you'll find interesting entries, including pics.
Check a little deeper, the Union had several camps that rate right down there in the cesspool with Andersonville.
They had one on the islands in Lake Erie, the Prisoners there weren't even issued blankets. Another was at the head of Chesepeake Bay. Both had death rates as high, or higher, than Andersonville.
(my Wife is doing some painting so I can't find my books to give names)
Originally posted by gumbydammit: Check a little deeper, the Union had several camps that rate right down there in the cesspool with Andersonville.
They had one on the islands in Lake Erie, the Prisoners there weren't even issued blankets. Another was at the head of Chesepeake Bay. Both had death rates as high, or higher, than Andersonville.
(my Wife is doing some painting so I can't find my books to give names)
You are quite right about other prisons in the North. I just thought "Hellmira" had a nice ring to it. I believe the History Channel had a documentary about the Chicago prison that was excellent.
Head of the Chesapeke was PT Lookout prison. My wifes gg uncle.died there. Another lost a leg with the Stonewall brigade at Chancellersville. An another was killed at Toms run races.
